Pine A64 – The 64-bit Quad-core Supercomputer
Some years ago, a fully functional “supercomputer” of the smartphone size would have been just plain ridiculous for most. Even if such supercomputer would have been in existence, it would have been costly.
Now in 2016, we actually have a full-fledged Windows 10 PC that’s the size of a phablet and is priced at just $99 while Raspberry Pi has a low starting price point. And the makers have even developed a $5 Raspberry Pi Zero too.
Breaking down barriers for entrepreneurs is what these PCs are doing. Now the market is ready for an ultra-low cost computer that ricochets the industry further into a unique horizon.
Pine A64 – The Smallest Single-board Revolution
The new Pine A64 is actually a tiny little computer which is not as small as it seems. It is an expandable single-board device that can run Linux or Android. It possesses impressive specs which can pose stiff competition to nearly every computer out there. The single-board device consists of:
- 1.2GHz quad-core ARM processor
- Mali 400 MP2 GPU
- 512MB RAM
- MicroSDXC slot
- 4K ultra high-definition video support
The biggest draw of Pine A64 is its super affordability being a 64-bit high performance single board computer. For those who need flexibility and want to boost their productivity, the PINE A64 is perfect for multiple purposes.
The Salient Differentiators
- Even though it is tiny in size, it is huge in function. The GPU is a dual-core MALI-400 MP2 and with a speed of 500MHz, it is capable of delivering immense throughput. The graphical capabilities are higher than the performance one can expect from XBox.
- It is powered by 64-bit quad core ARM A53 CPU which can easily deliver 30% better performance than any of its 32-bit counterparts.
- The PINE A64 is shipped with two USB ports, and an HDMI output, regular Audio/Mic Output, a handy Ethernet port, and 2 I/O expansion buses in its package. The PINE A64+ model on the other hand will deliver three additional ports along with the camera module, touch panel module and even a port for the LCD panel.
- It can run a full Android 5.1 computer to browse the web through the Chrome Browser, run Microsoft Office and even watch YouTube videos.
- It is not only a media player, but also a learning tool, or a gaming device, being 4K capable and expandable.
The price is one of the biggest selling points for the Pine A64 as it costs only $15, which means anyone can build anything with it. Since it is open source, one can load anything including Ubuntu, Android or IoT connections.
PINE A64 stores its boot disk on MicroSD card which has 256GB space. So one can update, re-install, or change operating systems anytime. Additional storage can be plugged in a USB thumb drive or HDD too.
Energy Efficiency and Compatibility
PINE A64 board can provide the power of a high end desktop at 2.5 to 3.5 watts only. Leveraging its power efficiency, PINE A64 board can save immense power without sacrificing performance. It can even run on 3.7V battery with its inbuilt on-board power management.
It can also be plugged on to a TV or monitor with just a keyboard and mice. The world of computing and programming can be crossed with ease as one can even learn programming in diverse languages like Python, HTML and JAVA. What’s more, one can access millions of videos too.
The upgraded Pine A64+ version boasts of 1GB of RAM along with a 5-megapixel camera port and some other features. As the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign has ended, one can expect to buy them within a month. And with a price of $15 for Pine A64 and $19 for Pine A64+, it is a steal!
Keval Padia is the founder & CEO of Nimblechapps, a fast-growing mobile app development company. The current innovation and updates of the field lures him to express his views and thoughts on certain topics.